Snagga Puss

Born Norman Suppria on 19 March 1961 in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, the performer grew up as one of 16 siblings under his mother’s care inside Arnett Gardens, the same impoverished district celebrated in the Wailers’ hit “Concrete Jungle.” He first tested his skills chanting on neighborhood sound systems under the name Dickie Ranking before moving to New York in the early 1980s to try his hand at rap. Returning to Jamaica by 1992, he found his earlier persona considered outdated, so he drew fresh inspiration from the Hanna-Barbera series Yogi Bear and began imitating the character Snagga Puss, eventually adopting that name. That same year a children’s concert gave him the chance to showcase the impersonation across contemporary rhythms, instantly captivating the young crowd. Recognizing the appeal, Patrick Roberts of Shocking Vibes booked studio time for the tracks “Can’t Cook,” “Ex-Lover,” and “Merle.” In 1993 the DJ joined Freddie McGregor on a Gussie Clarke–produced remake of Justin Hinds’ “Carry Go Bring Come,” which reached the top of reggae charts internationally. The momentum yielded a further duet, “Give It Up,” with Junior Tucker, plus a milk-product advertising deal. His first full-length release, Whap Dem Merlene, paid tribute to Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey, while the single “Tatie” sparked a fresh dance trend. Among his 1995 successes were “Girls Roll Call,” “Love Bug,” and a cartoon-themed cut titled “Woody Woodpecker,” previously recorded by Dillinger. He stayed visible into the new millennium by touring with Shocking Vibes, launching the Urkle dance drawn from the U.S. sitcom Family Matters, and adding Popeye to his roster of cartoon impressions.